Last Love

Chapter 29

"What do you think; pink or blue?"

"Audrey, you can't buy anything until you find out the gender."

She groans. "I know, but this is the fun part about being a teen mother."

"So how are things with your dad?"

She shrugs. "They've been better." I give her a look of disappoint. She knows I'm referring to the fact found out that his seventeen-year-old little angel is having a baby.

Audrey huffs. "Oh, I don't know! He asked to come to my next appointment with me. I think he's kinda' excited to find out if it's a boy or a girl."

He can't possibly be more excited then my mom. It's uneasy how excepting of this whole situation she is. She claims that she's happy to have another chance at raising a baby, but I think she's just excited about the many times she's going to be called a milf.

"Enough shopping, can you drop me off at the library cause' I really need to finish my culminating for bio."

"I finished that a few days ago. I can't believe how fast this year flew by." I shake my head in disbelief.

"Kate, you're such a nerd." She returns the few outfits she picked out to the rack. "Exams are in only a few weeks, then we're free for the summer."

Audrey is completely absorbed in a birthing book when I drop her off at the library. I'm very proud of her. She is in an extremely shitty situation, but she's taking it very seriously.

"Have fun studying!" I wave goodbye to Audrey.

"Thanks for the ride." She returns my wave.

The drive home is short and sweet. The warm spring sun feels so nice shining through my windshield. It's enough to tempt me with sleep, and I'm desperate for solid sleep these days...

"Hi, Sully!" I squeal, picking up my puppy and wrapping him in my arms. "You're so cute."

"He wasn't so cute when I was cleaning up his shit ten minutes ago." I snap my head up and see my brother spread across the couch.

"What are you doing home?" I ask puzzled. "I thought you weren't done school for a few weeks."

"I'm not." His brow creases. "Did mom and dad not tell you?"

I snort. "I haven't seen dad in like a week, and in order for mom to tell me anything she'd have to stop talking about herself- which is highly unlikely."

"I can't believe you don't know..." He shakes his head and runs his hand through his hair. "I'm home because Jane McDougal died, and her funeral is tomorrow."

I can't believe this. I have never known anyone that died. My grandparents are all alive and well, every aunt and uncle perfectly accounted for. Death to me was a myth. But now Jane, the mother of my first love now seizes to exist.

My heartaches for the pain Nate must be feeling right now. Even though their relationship was all but ruined until only a few months ago, it's still his mom. At least he had these last couple of weeks to be with her.

"Whens the funeral?" my voice comes out surprisingly shaky.

"It's not actually the funeral I guess. The wake starts at eleven at the Regis funeral home."

"How's Nate doing?" I stutter.

Joshua awkwardly puts his pockets and his eyes dart around the room before finding mine. "He's been better. He hasn't said much, but I'm sure he's hurting."